Which immersion chiller for keggle?

In the market for an immersion chiller whirlpool from morebeer.com

I use a converted 15.5 keg with a false bottom for the boil and usually do 6 gallon batches but plan on doing more 12 gal batches in the future. I want to add the whirlpool feature with a pump to the immersion chiller but I am torn between these 2 models.

1) http://morebeer.com/view_product/19523/102204/Wort_Chiller_-_SuperChiller_-_The_5_10_Split

This is the largest IC they have and I can add the whirlpool feature with a zip tie for 15 bucks plus fittings.

2) https://morebeer.com/view_product/11905/102204/Wort_Chiller_-_SuperChiller_with_Recirculation

This one is a tad smaller but has the recirculation arm soldered directly and has fittings on the arm.

I know I am being a bit nit picky but what do you guys think? Plan on ordering later tonight.

I like this model better: http://www.midwestsupplies.com/stai...ort-chiller-w-garden-hose-fittings-50-ft.html

I went with a stainless steel immersion chiller after my copper one got ruined, and I absolutely love it...easier to clean and I dont have to worry about copper leaching in my beer. I read that stainless steel is 15% less efficient compared to copper, but the extra minute was ok with me for something that will last forever!

Just my $0.02

I would definetly get one with whirlpool/recirc capability. I wouldn't worry about the soldered peice, go for big and teach yourself how to solder, its easy, twenty bucks at lowes and a few minutes on youtube and you'll have it nailed. If I can do it, anyone can

What about a counterflow?

You can gravity drain with this one or even DIY it easily.
http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_33_145&products_id=10458

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_33_145&products_id=12822

I went with the 5/10 split and I am going to solder the arm myself. I had a plate chiller but could never really get it clean. Baking, boil, CIP, etc... Thanks for the help!

Does anyone really see an improvement going from 1/4" tubing to 1/2" tubing? My 25' IC cools 10 gallons in about 10 minutes and it's only 1/4" tubing.

I would not buy this online. They are very easy to make yourself. I used 1/4" copper tubing i bought from Lowes and made the coil shape around a concrete form. I then used quick disconnect couplings to attach my hoses. All in all it was ~$50 if i remember correctly. I can chill my wort in less than 10 minutes when running the inlet through an ice bath.

How do the immersion chillers recirculate or cause whirlpool? I don't understand this.

J311gonzo said:

How do the immersion chillers recirculate or cause whirlpool? I don't understand this.

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Mine doesn't. So I swirl very gently. I guess the principle is the hot wort will be drawn to the cold copper and cool down.

J311gonzo said:

How do the immersion chillers recirculate or cause whirlpool? I don't understand this.

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You have to plumb in a pump--the chillers just have a nozzle attached so that the jet of wort is positioned properly to create a vortex/whirlpool in the kettle. Is it worth paying extra money for? I guess that's a personal thing. I plumbed my kettle to whirlpool whether or not there's an IC involved.

I have the 5-10 split and it works great.
I don't whirlpool, never did. Copper cleans up nicely in a bucket of star san.

Not to hijack a thread, but my question is very similar...

How about the MoreBeer 5/10 split vs NY Brew supplly 1/2" x 50' ?

http://www.nybrewsupply.com/products/wort-chiller-copper-immersion.php#c1250

With Morebeer's free shipping they come out nearly the same price for me.

It'll be used in a keggle, and am trying to plan for both 5 and 10 gallon batches, but I plan to plumb the keggle with whirlpool fittings if I ever can afford a pump... so I'm not concerned about getting a IC with the whirlpool outlet built in.

I'm just not sure if the 'split' feature really adds anything..?

I have the B3 Chiller with the recirc arm and I love it!! The whirlpool action works ok. I figure if it is good enough for Jamil than it is good enough for me!!

Phunhog....off topic but regarding your Two Trees Brewing Co....I remember when it was 5 tress and we hiked there as kids all the time.

bitmask said:

Not to hijack a thread, but my question is very similar...

How about the MoreBeer 5/10 split vs NY Brew supplly 1/2" x 50' ?

http://www.nybrewsupply.com/products/wort-chiller-copper-immersion.php#c1250

With Morebeer's free shipping they come out nearly the same price for me.

It'll be used in a keggle, and am trying to plan for both 5 and 10 gallon batches, but I plan to plumb the keggle with whirlpool fittings if I ever can afford a pump... so I'm not concerned about getting a IC with the whirlpool outlet built in.

I'm just not sure if the 'split' feature really adds anything..?

Click to expand...

I don't see how the "split" would help at all.

norsk said:

Phunhog....off topic but regarding your Two Trees Brewing Co....I remember when it was 5 tress and we hiked there as kids all the time.

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Cool!! One of the nice things about naming the brewery "Two Trees" is that all the locals, past and present, "get it". Cheers! Al